Donald Campbell’s headstone is newly displayed

[Iain MacInnes – Presenter] Now then, the headstone of the famous poet Dòmhnall Phàil – Donald Campbell – who wrote the song "Guma slàn do na fearaibh" – has been displayed again in Kingussie after being restored. Dòmhnall Phàil lived in the town when he composed the song in the 19th Century – when more than 300 emigrants left the area for Australia. Seonaidh MacKenzie reports.

[Seonaidh MacKenzie – Reporter] The poet Donald Campbell, or Dòmhnall Phàil, was born in Dalnaspidal near Drumochter. But it was here, in Kingussie, that he wrote his most famous song. He wrote the song "Guma slàn do na fearaibh,” which gave an account of the situation faced by hundreds of Gaels who went overseas at the time of the Clearances. But his headstone in Kingussie was in a bad state of repair.

[Seumas Grant] I came in here I believe, around 14 years ago and I was hugely disappointed that Dòmhnall Phàil’s headstone was on the verge of falling to the ground. At that time I got in touch with the Inverness Gaelic Society and they paid to have the headstone repaired, to have it re-erected.

[Seonaidh MacKenzie – Reporter] With help too from the Highland Council and Historic Scotland to restore the headstone, an event was held in the graveyard to commemorate the poet.

[Sheila MacKay] I don’t think many know that the song is from the Badenoch area and that it was Donald Campbell, or Dòmhnall Phàil as he is known, who wrote the words after witnessing his neighbours and friends leaving the area and making their way to Fort William, then to Oban and onwards to Australia, spending five months at sea. I think he felt very sad himself that he couldn’t go with them, that he had to stay at home.

[Seonaidh MacKenzie – Reporter] Research is now going to be carried out to discover if any of Dòmhnall Phàil’s descendants are still in the area. Seonaidh MacKenzie, BBC An Là, Kingussie.

Clach-chinn Dhòmhnaill Phàil ga fhoillseachadh às ùr

(Donald Campbell’s headstone is newly displayed)

VocabularyBriathrachas

Clach-chinn, clach-uaighe - headstone

Ceann a' Ghiuthsaich - Kingussie

eilthireach - emigrant

Dail na Spideil - Dalnaspidal

Druim Uachdar - Drumochter

cladh - graveyard

an ìmpis - on the verge of

Comunn Ghàidhlig Inbhir Nis - Inverness Gaelic Society

Comhairle na Gàidhealtachd - Highland Council

Alba Aosmhor - Historic Scotland

Bàideanach - Badenoch

CuideachadhHow to use this site

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